Psychological Assessment

In my practice, I distinguish between two main kinds of psychological assessment: psycho-educational assessments and full psychological assessments.

Psycho-educational assessments are usually completed for the purposes of understanding a person's cognitive style and strengths and identifying areas of greater difficulty such as learning disabilities (e.g., a Learning Disability in Mathematics), or attentional disorders (such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). In a psycho-educational assessment, the psychologist completes a clinical interview with the client that focusses on development from infancy through to the client's current age, academic history and functioning including areas of strength and difficulty, family history of mental health disorders, learning problems or attentional difficulties, and any other relevant information. Whenever possible, the psychologist will also request a copy of school report cards and transcripts beginning in kindergarten through to the highest level of academic study, as well as copies of any previous assessments or other relevant documentation. If helpful and with the client's permission, the psychologist may speak with a collateral contact such as a family member to gain information about aspects of the client's development or family history of which the client may not be aware (such as the age the important developmental milestones were met). Clients and if possible collateral contacts will be asked to complete a range of questionnaires that focus on learning, attentional and behavioural functioning. Clients will then participate in cognitive testing with the psychologist, completing tasks that assess attention and memory, problem-solving and academic skills such as reading, writing and arithmetic. Clients can therefore expect to spend between 8 and 12 hours engaged in assessment activities in the psychologist's office. All of the information from the assessment is then put together in a detailed report and a feedback session is completed with the client. If there are any formal diagnoses arising from the assessment, these are explained fully, as well as any recommendations for accommodations and strategies to strengthen or compensate for learning styles and difficulties. 

Full psychological assessments include all of the above tasks, as well as detailed interviewing and questionnaires relating specifically to mental health issues such as mood or anxiety disorders, Autism spectrum disorders, personality disorders and so forth. Additionally, the psychologist will review any other mental health or related medical consultation reports that are available. Clients can expect to spend between 10 and 14 hours in the psychologist's office completing the tasks involved in assessment.

On a case-by-case basis, more limited assessments are also available, such as those that focus exclusively on mental health issues but not learning or attentional difficulties. These assessments may be completed in the course of treatment following a motor vehicle accident or workplace injury, or if an independent psychological assessment is requested.